Medical electric-current regulator.



APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1912.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

ATI'ORNEY WITNESSES: 2 4 FC ww/ fawn-news. nonuns, or mvmtar, oran,

ammcan anaemic-column enema-on.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

Application filed October 21, 1912. Serial No. 727,041.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANDREW J. Honnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Murray in the county of Salt Lake and State oi Utah, have invented a new and useful, Medical Electric-Current- Regulator in 'which'a rheostat is introduced into the circuit in such a manner that the current may be efiiciently regulated thereby.

The objects of my invention are, first to provide a rheostat in a glass cylinder, so that i it may be protected from accidental touch and yet be" visibleand easily accessible; secondly to provide a rheostat of such construction that the ordinary electric lighting current maybe adapted to medical use.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a novel and improved resistance element.

-I attain theseand other objects by the device illustratdlin the accompanying drawing, in which single figure is a perspective View of the whole device.

Referring now to. the drawing, 1 is the incoming w'ire from the source of electrical energy, and 2 isthe outgoing wire. These wires are connected by the ordinary plug with any lamp socket. These wires pass along through grooves in the under side of 9 in the post 5 and has on its opposite and the insulating base 3 to the electric light bulbs 4, 4, thence one wire passes to the post 5, the other to the post'6. A'ro'd having an insulated handle 8, passes through the slot inner end a sponge 10 forming one electrode. The other, electrode 11 is-firmly attached to the insulated end 12 of a rod 12, which' latter passes through a holein the post 144 and is provided with an insulated handle 13. A wire connects post 14 with post 1.5, and a conductive spring 24 connects electrode 11 with post 14'. Into the holes in posts 6 and 15 are passed the contact points of the cords 16 and 17, attached to the electrode plates 18 and 19. It will be observed that if a patient places one foot on the plate 18 and the other on 19 that the circuit is closed with the exception of the break between electrodes 10 and 11.

By moistening the sponge electrode 10 the current may be increased, the amount of current transmitted depending on the dampness of the sponge.

In operation, the'operator grasps the handle 13 and pushes the rod attached thereto inward toward the-sponge 10 until the current passes from one electrode to the other and through the patient in contact at 18 and 19. The amount of current transmitted depends upon the approximation of the electrodes to each other and upon the compression of the damp sponge by the pressure of the electrode 11 upon it.-

It will beseen that the introduction of the sponge electrode in the circuit and that by bringing the poles of the regulator nearer together the amount of the current transmitted will be increased.

To insulate the poles of thercgulator' and their electrodes I inclose them in the glass cylinder 20 which is held to-the insulating base 3 by strips 21, 21. By loosening the screw 22 the sponge with its rod maybe removed for moistening by a side motion through the slot 9. By tightening the screw 22 the rod 7 may be held in position so that the position of the sponge is fixed, or the operator may by intermittent adjustment of the poles of the regulator produce an undulating current, the spring 24 retracting the electrode 11.

It will be observed that no greater amount of current can be transmitted to the patient than the conductivity of the electrode 10 will transmit, and also that the lights 4, 4, indi: cate when the current is on or off, and that no greater current can pass to the patient than the filament of the lights can carry without burning out.

I find that by use of this apparatus a physician can utilize the ordinary electric lighting system for medical purposes thus doing away with medical. electric batteries.

It will be understood that the lamps may be dispensed with in case batteries or other source of electric current are used, and the current passed direct to the regulator.

Having thus described the construction and operation of my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A resistance .element comprising a sponge moistened with a conducting fluid.

2. A resistance element comprising a sponge moistened with water.

3. An electric current regulator compris ing a non-conductive tube, a rod extending into the tube and removable therefrom, a compressible resistance element in the tube, said element being carried by the rod and removable therewith from the tube a supporefor the rod on the outside of the tube,

said support liming a recess in which the rod removably seats, and meane .fqr locking the rod in said recess.

4. An electric current regulator comprisinga non-conductive tube, electrodes in the tube, one of which electrodes is movable toward'and from the other, an operating rod connected to the movable electrode, and resilient means 'for normally holding the movf able electrode retracted.

5. An electric current regulator comprising a non-conductive tube, electrodes in the tube, one of which electrodes is movable towardgmd from the otlTeI, an operating rod connected to the movable electrode, and a 15 spring electrically connected to the movable electrode and normally holding said electrode retracted.

In witness whereof I- have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of October 1912.

ANDREW J. HOENES. Witnesses:

F. C. WALKER, NILS SOHLIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for m.- cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

